There are some key stipulations to the law that are required for you to annex your land. *You must live in the area to be annexed *You must have a school age child or a child that will attend school in the upcoming school year *You must be connected or "contiguous" to the school district you want to annex into *You must have 2/3rds of the people living in the area to be annexed sign the petition *You must be a qualified elector or live in your home for 30 days or longer and be over the age of 18 years.

1. This meeting is a hearing for people to testify to this committee regarding the petitions in annexation.

2. Turn cell phones off or to vibrate.

3. If you must take urgent calls on the cell phone, take your conversation outside of this room.

4. You are only allowed to talk during the testimony part of the meeting.

5. When you testify please print, then sign your name like you sign a check and mark for or against on the sheet at the podium.

6. All testimony should be at the podium and please speak into the microphone because the meeting is being recorded.

7. There is an agenda on page 5 of the packet and we will have testimony for and against the petition and then later you will all get a chance to testify again either for or against the annexation.

8. Talk only to the committee, do not address anyone in the audience or make comments from the audience during testimony or committee deliberation.

9. Please state only information pertinent to this annexation. Try to stick to testimony that is new and different. If you do not have something new to add but want to show support sign in, introduce yourself, state your support and ask to entertain any questions the committee may have.

10. Be respectful of other people’s testimony.

11. Do not talk amongst yourselves when the committee is in deliberation or during testimony.

12. Address any concerns or clarification by approaching the podium and addressing the committee.

1. Introduction of Lawyer from the Ward County State Attorney’s Office.

A. Determine if all the statutory requirements regarding the petition have been met If no, the meeting is adjourned. If yes, the petition is deemed valid and the meeting continues.

2. Call to order of hearing by Chairman of the Ward County Reorganization Committee.

3. Introduction of Ward County Committee Members present

4. Reading of Petition: Ward County Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of Reorganization Committee

5. Testimony FOR the petition

6. Testimony AGAINST the petition

7. Testimony relative to the equitable adjustment of all property, assets, debts & liabilities among Districts involved if petition is approved

8. Any additional testimony, either FOR or AGAINST the petition

9. Complete Findings of Facts form by the County Committee a.) Secretary calls upon each member to read decision b.) Committee secretary writes motion and the reasons why on Findings c.) Committee members sign Findings

You will receive an answer to your petition from the County Reorganization Committee the same day you attend the hearing. All documentary evidence will be recorded and sent to the State Board of Education in Bismarck, ND. The State Board can either confirm or deny the County Reorganization Committee's decision. The State Board usually meets on the third Monday of each month. All annexations are effective July 1st of each year following the State Board hearing.